SCARBOROUGH

Armchair travelers invited

Experience cultures from around the world without leaving town.

The Scarborough Public Library will offer its second Armchair Traveler Series event at 2 p.m. Sunday, featuring a talk by Scarborough resident and veterinarian Dr. Kristine Hoyt.

Hoyt will discuss her travels to the Galapagos Islands, an archipelago of volcanic islands 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador.

This program is free and open to the public.

For more details, go to www.scarboroughlibrary.org. 

Scary stories on tap

The amphitheater in the Scarborough Public Library Youth Room will host a special Halloween-themed Readers Theater for children ages 7 to 10 at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“Bony-Legs and Other Scary Stories” will be presented by the Library’s Readers Theater Troupe, that also will perform “The Little Old Lady Who Wasn’t Afraid of Anything.”

Children are welcome to wear costumes for this event.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more details, call 883-4723, Ext 3, or go to www.scarboroughlibrary.org.

GORHAMHoop clinic announced

The University of Southern Maine Huskies men’s basketball team will host its annual Huskies’ Shooting Clinic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The clinic will be hosted at the Costello Sports Complex on the Gorham campus of the University of Southern Maine and is open to boys in grades 3-10.

The fee for the clinic is $45 in advance and $50 the day of the clinic.

Under the direction of head coach Karl Henrikson, the USM staff and players will instruct participants in a day of basketball and shooting fundamentals.

Participants are required to wear sneakers and basketball appropriate clothing as well as bringing a lunch.

Players will be grouped by grade and ability.

For more details, email Karl Henrikson at karlh@usm.maine.edu.

Registration materials can be found at: http://www.southernmainehuskies.com/fanZone/clinics.

BATH

Annual cafe craft fair

The 19th Annual Bells of St. Mary’s Christmas Craft Fair & Cafe will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 144 Lincoln St.

The event will feature a silent auction, Cookie Walk, Grandma’s Attic, visit from Santa, and over a dozen local crafters.

The cafe will serve breakfast and lunch items, including chowder, soup, chili, hot dogs, pizza, desserts and beverages.

For more details, call 443-5389.

HALLOWELL

An end-of-life discussion

A panel discussion entitled, “Two Tales of End-of-life Experiences: Affirming Life through the Assistance of Hospice Caregivers and Compassionate Funeral Directors,” will take place at The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maine annual meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday at Granite Hill Estates Retirement Community, 60 Balsam Drive.

The public is invited to attend free of charge.

The FCAMaine business meeting will start at 9 a.m. and will be followed by refreshments.

The panel presentation runs from 10 to 11 a.m. and will be followed by questions and discussion.

For more information, visit www.fcamaine.net or call Cushman Anthony at 781-4591.

WALDOBORO

PTO to hold craft show

Medomak Middle School will host it’s sixth annual PTO Holiday Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the school, at 318 Manktown Road.

The event will feature more than 40 vendors from all over the state, as well as local crafters, with Maine- made crafts including jams, jewelry, chocolates, paintings, prints, stoneware, knit items, clothing, ornaments, baskets, aprons, cards, balsam, wreaths and more.

There will be free admission, raffles, door prizes and parking.

Food and refreshments will be available.

Shop for Project Graduation

A Ladies Night Shopper’s Showcase will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Medomak Valley High School Cafeteria, 320 Manktown Road.

Bring the family for fun, food and merchandise.

Proceeds will directly benefits 2014 Project Graduation.

For more details, call Wanda at 542-3822 or Sue at 691-8402

PORTLAND

Cranking for Project FEED

The fourth annual Cranksgiving Portland will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Woodfords Church, 202 Woodford St.

This is the fourth year of the cycling event, that in past years has raised more than $500 worth of canned foods for Project FEED.

The roots of the race started in New York City where bike messengers raced to raise money for local food banks.

Cranksgiving is now held in over a dozen cities across the country to help ease the burdens of food banks during the busy holiday season.

For more details, call Dylan Nickerson at 871-1595, email nickersondylan@yahoo.com or go to www.cranksgivingportland.blogspot.com.

Shape Note Singing event

A Shape Note Singing gathering will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at The New Church, at 302 Stevens Ave.

This four-part singing tradition, also known as Sacred Harp, originated in Colonial America and is enjoying a revival nationwide.

This is not a performance.

Everyone is welcome to participate free of charge.

For more details, call www.maineshapenotesinging.org. 

Former poet laureate at USM

Charles Simic, a former U.S. poet laureate, has been named the 2013 O’Brien Poet by the University of Southern Maine and will read from his works at 5 p.m. Friday in the University Events Room of USM’s Glickman Family Library, at 314 Forest Ave.

The reading is free and open to the public, though seating is limited.

There will be a question and answer period after the reading, and Simic will be available to sign his books.

For more information, contact Justin Tussing at jtussing@usm.maine.edu or call 228-8393.

Jung Center to host lecture

Ginette Paris, Ph.D., will head a two-part lecture and workshop Friday and Saturday at the Portland Public Library’s Rines Auditorium, 5 Monument Square.

Paris will give a free lecture at 7 p.m. Friday entitled “Heartbreak, Mourning, Loss, and Codependency: New Approaches to Healing.”

Paris will follow up with a workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Cost of the workshop is $75 for Jung Center members and $85 for all others; college students, with identification, may attend for $20.

For more details, call Katie Miller at 729-0300, email info@mainejungcenter.org or go to www.mainejungcenter.org.

Nursery school bazaar

The Children’s Nursery School will host its 38th annual Grand Bazaar and Silent Auction from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the State Street Church, 159 State St.

The event includes activities for the whole family, such as children’s stories, live music by Tucker Daniels, a wild animal exhibit by Spark’s Ark, fun hair by Snip-its, face-painting and games.

A silent auction and raffles will be held. Lunch options and baked goods will be available.

Admission is free and all are welcome.

KENNEBUNK

Retired educators to host fair

The York County Retired Educators Association will hold its annual holiday fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Kennebunk High School cafeteria and foyer on Fletcher Street.

Admission is free, parking is ample and the vendor tables in cafeteria and foyer are handicapped accessible.

Luncheon items, including homemade soup, a variety of finger sandwiches, Caesar salad and beverage will be available for purchase.

Library to hold open house

The Kennebunk Free Library will host an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday to show off its newly renovated space.

The upgrades are thanks to a donation by Crane & Co., which recently purchased the William Arthur stationery business.

The business has been relocated to Massachusetts. But, prior to closing, it invited library staffers to avail themselves of a number of office furnishings, including carts, shelving, equipment, supplies and office furniture.

Some items will be used to better organize storage spaces in the library’s basement. However, the bulk of this donation was used to accomplish a long-overdue redesign of the staff workroom. Gently used desks, tables, file cabinets and lockers have been added.

KITTERY

Outing for adults planned

The Kittery Recreation Department is accepting registrations for a variety of adult outings it will offer this fall and winter.

Those outings include: a trip to Christmas Dove/Calef’s Country Store, with lunch at the Holy Grail Restaurant, 10 a.m., Nov. 13, $10; Christmas shopping trip to Mall at Rockingham Park/Tuscan Kitchen, Salem, N.H., 9 a.m., Dec. 5, $10; Holiday at the Victoria Mansion tour with lunch at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant, 9 a.m. Dec. 19, $25; Ikea Store & Mystery Restaurant at Stoughton, Mass., 10:30 a.m., Jan. 15, $10; Portland Museum of Art and DiMillo’s, 9 a.m. Feb. 12, $18; Boston Flower Show, 9 a.m., March 12, $27; “I Love Lucy” live show at Colonial Theater for ages 18 and older, 10 a.m. Dec. 8, $100, includes ticket and coach bus transportation.

All trips are open to ages 55 and older.

Times listed are departing times, all leaving from the Kittery Community Center, 120 Rogers Road. Cost of lunch is not included.

All registrations must be done at the Recreation Center or online at www.kitterycommunitycenter.org.

For more details, call 439-3800 or go to www.kitterycommunitycenter.org.

Adult fitness programs

The Kittery Recreation Department is offering a number of adult fitness programs beginning in November and running through the winter months.

The activities, for ages 55 and older unless otherwise indicated, include:

Chair Yoga, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, Nov. 7-Dec.19 and Jan. 16 to Feb. 20; Wun-Jo & Flo-dynamics Training for strength, balance and flexibility, 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Fridays, Nov. 8-Dec. 20 and Jan. 17-Feb. 21; Zumba Gold, 8:15 to 9 a.m. Mondays, Nov. 4-Dec. 16 and Jan. 6 to Feb. 24; and Low-Impact Aerobics, for ages 18 and older, 7 to 8 a.m. Tuesdays, Nov. 5 to Dec. 10 and Jan. 7 to Feb. 11.

Cost of all programs is $50 for residents and $55 for all others.

All registrations must be done at the Recreation Center at 120 Rogers Road or online at www.kitterycommunitycenter.org.

For more details, call 439-3800 or go to www.kitterycommunitycenter.org.

BELFAST

Marine museum sets conference

“Fish, Wind and Tide: Maine’s Future Resources?” is the topic of Penobscot Marine Museum’s 2013 History Conference from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at University of Maine Hutchinson Center at 80 Belmont Ave.

This year the conference brings together scientists, historians and educators to discuss Maine’s important resources.

Issues examined include the change in Maine’s fisheries over the centuries and the current state of the resource, whether Maine can lead the way in new wind and tidal power development, and what the future looks like for Maine’s working waterfront.

Panelists and lecturers include professors and researchers from the universities of Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and Maine Maritime Academy, as well as from the Maine Ocean & Wind Industry Initiative, Ocean Conservation Law Foundation, Island Institute, Maine Department of Conservation, and Tide Mill Institute.

For more details, go to www.penobscotmarinemuseum.org or call 548-2529.

WATERBORO

Holiday fair at St. Stephen

St. Stephen’s Holiday Fair will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Stephen the Martyr Episcopal Church on Route. 5, across from Lakeside Market and Lake Ossipee.

The event will feature books, baked goods and crafts. Lunch and dinner items also will be available for purchase.

CAPE ELIZABETH

Learn about Thomas College

A representative from Thomas College will visit Cape Elizabeth High School at 8:30 a.m. Monday to discuss Thomas’ academic and sports programs and its residential life opportunities.

Thomas is a private, career-oriented college that prepares its undergraduates for careers in business, technology and education and guarantees employment within 90 days of graduation.

For more information, go to www.thomas.edu.

Evening of ‘Chilling Tales’

Thomas Memorial Library will host an evening of “Chilling Tales” from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, featuring readings from actor Michael Howard of Acorn Theater and the Naked Shakespeare Company.

Howard will read several of the most chilling classic ghost stories from writers such as M.R. James, Shirley Jackson, Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Allen Poe.

The readings are appropriate for teenagers through adults.

Hot apple cider and Halloween treats will be provided.

The library is at 6 Scott Dyer Road.

For details, call 799-1720.

Seniors living at home

“Living Well; Living at Home” will be the topic of a “Lunch and Learn” gathering of South Portland/Cape Elizabeth TRIAD and Cape Elizabeth Community Services on Wednesday at the Cape Elizabeth Fire Department, at 2 Jordan Way.

Lunch catered by the Cape Elizabeth High School cafeteria will begin at 11:30 a.m.

At noon a panel of professionals from Comfort Keepers, a company that provides home care for senior citizens, will discuss resources that help senior citizens stay fit, positive and engaged.

The cost is $8 per person.

To register or for more details, contact Cape Elizabeth Community Services at 799-2868.

TRIAD is made up of Cape Elizabeth and South Portland senior citizens, police, and community members who work together to address problems faced by older citizens.

SANFORD

Fall fair at St. George’s

St. George’s Episcopal Church will hold its annual Fall Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 3 Emerson St.

There will be a baked goods table, jewelry, craft table, knitted and sewn items and Grandma’s Attic. In addition, there will be a children’s Christmas Corner offering gift items for children to purchase for family members such as candles, stationery, calendars, small tools, mugs, etc.

These items will be sold for under $1 and will include gift wrapping.

There will be gift basket raffles, too.

For more details, call 324-8119.

GORHAM

Garden club speaker

There will be a meeting of the Gorham Garden Club at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the First Parish Church on School Street.

Bruce Webb will give a talk on “Sustainable Gardening.”

The public is welcome to attend.

For more details, call Helen Manderson at 839-3630.

BIDDEFORD/SANFORD

Learn about Obamacare

Southern Maine Medical Center and Goodall Hospital will offer free sessions on choosing health insurance plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

MaineHealth and York County Community Action will partner with the hospitals to provide an overview of the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare), the Health Insurance Marketplace, available health insurance options, eligibility options for free or low-cost coverage and information on how to apply.

Sessions have been scheduled as follows: Southern Maine Medical Center, 6 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and noon and 12:30 p.m. Nov. 1, all in the second floor classroom at One Medical Center Drive, Biddeford; Goodall Hospital, 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:30 and 1 p.m. on Nov. 6 and at 6 p.m, Nov. 17 at 25 June St., Sanford.

For more details, call (800) 318-2596, or York County Community Action at (800) 965-5762 or visit www.enroll207.com.

NAPLES

Christmas fair and benefit

The annual Holly Berry Christmas Craft Fair benefiting Lake Region High School’s Project Graduation 2014 will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the high school on Route 302.

There will be more than 60 local crafters and at-home business vendors selling a variety of crafts and gifts for all ages.

Santa Claus will visit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There will be activities for kids and live entertainment, as well as a full menu of homemade lunch and snack items available for purchase all day.

For more details, call Robin Aaskov at 653-9595 or email rs.aaskov@hotmail.com.

NORTH BERWICK

Family recipes wanted

A recipe contest will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Morrill Sherburne House at 27 Old County Road.

Sponsored by the North Berwick Historical Society, the contest asks individuals to cook up their favorite family recipe and enter the contest under one of three categories: Main Dishes, Sides and Salads, and Desserts.

There will be a $50 cash prize awarded for the winners in each category.

There is no entry fee but winners are asked to instead donate a written copy of their recipe, to be used with their name, in the upcoming NBHS cookbook.

To enter, email NBHSPrograms@Maine.rr.com or call 676-7600.

Members and nonmembers are welcome to enter the contest.

WESTBROOK

Free hip-hop classes

My Place Teen Center and Drouin Dance Center have teamed up to offer free hip hop dance classes for boys and girls ages 10 and older at My Place Teen Center, at 755 Main St.

Classes meet Mondays from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. and Fridays from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.

Space is limited to 12 dancers per class.

Parents may register their children at www.drouindancecenter.com.

For more details, call 854-2221.

SOUTH BERWICK

Hstorical Society fundraiser

The Old Berwick Historical Society’s “Lighting Up Fall” fundraiser begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Spring Hill Restaurant.

Guests are invited to “adopt a prop” for the Hike through History by making a cash donation to purchase reproduction coins, a tin lantern, hats and bonnets, and shoemaking tools to help children from Central School and Marshwood Middle School experience trades that were practiced in South Berwick during the 1700s and 1800s.

The event will include live jazz by Brian Richardson and Bob Woodbury, a soup meal and a silent auction.

Tickets are $40 per person, or $35 per person for tables of 10 paid in advance, and are available at all Old Berwick Historical Society, the Counting House Museum or by calling Ginny Alterio at 384-4039 or email vsasob@comcast.net.